The regions around supermassive black holes shine brightly in X-rays. Some of this radiation comes from a surrounding disk, and most comes from the corona, pictured here in this artist's concept as the white light at the base of a jet. This is one of a few possible shapes predicted for coronas. (Image credit:NASA/JPL-Caltech)

The regions around supermassive black holes shine brightly in X-rays. Some of this radiation comes from a surrounding disk, and most comes from the corona, pictured here in this artist's concept as the white

This image provided by NASA shows an artist rendering of the space agency's latest X-ray telescope. NuStar, whose mast is the length of a school bus, launched in June 2012 to study black holes and other celestial objects. NuSTAR stands for Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array. (AP Photo/NASA) less

This image provided by NASA shows an artist rendering of the space agency's latest X-ray telescope. NuStar, whose mast is the length of a school bus, launched in June 2012 to study black holes and other ... more

Photo: HOPD

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This image from NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer shows NGC 6744, one of the galaxies most similar to our Milky Way in the local universe. This ultraviolet view highlights the vast extent of the fluffy spiral arms, and demonstrates that star formation can occur in the outer regions of galaxies. The galaxy is situated in the constellation of Pavo at a distance of about 30 million light-years. NGC 6744 is bigger than the Milky Way, with a disk stretching 175,000 light-years across. A small, distorted companion galaxy is located nearby, which is similar to our galaxy's Large Magellanic Cloud. This companion, called NGC 6744A, can be seen as a blob in the main galaxy's outer arm, at upper right. On June 28, 2013, NASA turned off its Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) after a decade of operations in which the venerable space telescope used its ultraviolet vision to study hundreds of millions of galaxies across 10 billion years of cosmic time. Highlights from the mission's decade of sky scans include: -- Discovering a gargantuan, comet-like tail behind a speeding star called Mira. -- Catching a black hole "red-handed" as it munched on a star. -- Finding giant rings of new stars around old, dead galaxies. -- Independently confirming the nature of dark energy. -- Discovering a missing link in galaxy evolution -- the teenage galaxies transitioning from young to old. The mission also captured a dazzling collection of snapshots, showing everything from ghostly nebulas to a spiral galaxy with huge, spidery arms. less

This image from NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer shows NGC 6744, one of the galaxies most similar to our Milky Way in the local universe. This ultraviolet view highlights the vast extent of the fluffy spiral ... more

Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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This image from NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer shWispy tendrils of hot dust and gas glow brightly in this ultraviolet image of the Cygnus Loop nebula, taken by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The nebula lies about 1,500 light-years away, and is a supernova remnant, left over from a massive stellar explosion that occurred between 5,000 to 8,000 years ago. The Cygnus Loop extends over three times the size of the full moon in the night sky, and is tucked next to one of the "swan's wings" in the constellation of Cygnus. The filaments of gas and dust visible here in ultrows NGC 6744, one of the galaxies most similar to our Milky Way in the local universe. This ultraviolet view highlights the vast extent of the fluffy spiral arms, and demonstrates that star formation can occur in the outer regions of galaxies. The galaxy is situated in the constellation of Pavo at a distance of about 30 million light-years. NGC 6744 is bigger than the Milky Way, with a disk stretching 175,000 light-years across. A small, distorted companion galaxy is located nearby, which is similar to our galaxy's Large Magellanic Cloud. This companion, called NGC 6744A, can be seen as a blob in the main galaxy's outer arm, at upper right. On June 28, 2013, NASA turned off its Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) after a decade of operations in which the venerable space telescope used its ultraviolet vision to study hundreds of millions of galaxies across 10 billion years of cosmic time. Highlights from the mission's decade of sky scans include: -- Discovering a gargantuan, comet-like tail behind a speeding star called Mira. -- Catching a black hole "red-handed" as it munched on a star. -- Finding giant rings of new stars around old, dead galaxies. -- Independently confirming the nature of dark energy. -- Discovering a missing link in galaxy evolution -- the teenage galaxies transitioning from young to old. The mission also captured a dazzling collection of snapshots, showing everything from ghostly neb less

This image from NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer shWispy tendrils of hot dust and gas glow brightly in this ultraviolet image of the Cygnus Loop nebula, taken by NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer. The nebula ... more

Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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This image from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center shows an artist's rendering of how a gamma ray burst occurs with a massive star collapsing and creating a black hole, beaming out focused light and radiation.

This image from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center shows an artist's rendering of how a gamma ray burst occurs with a massive star collapsing and creating a black hole, beaming out focused light and radiation.

Photo: HOPD

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For more images like these or to find out more about the landforms featured, see NASA's "Earth as Art," available to download or as a free ebook.

For more images like these or to find out more about the landforms featured, see NASA's "Earth as Art," available to download or as a free ebook.

Carnegie Lake, Australia – Ephemeral Carnegie Lake, in Western Australia, fills with water only during periods of significant rainfall. In dry years, it is reduced to a muddy marsh.

Carnegie Lake, Australia – Ephemeral Carnegie Lake, in Western Australia, fills with water only during periods of significant rainfall. In dry years, it is reduced to a muddy marsh.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia – Central Asia’s Tibetan Plateau is justifiably nicknamed the “Roof of the World,” with an average elevation of more than 4,500 meters.

Tibetan Plateau, Central Asia – Central Asia’s Tibetan Plateau is justifiably nicknamed the “Roof of the World,” with an average elevation of more than 4,500 meters.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Tikehau Atoll, French Polynesia – A narrow ribbon of islets encircles a deep blue lagoon in French Polynesia. At the southernmost tip of the atoll, a large islet accommodates the village of Tuherahera and an airstrip. The whole atoll is surrounded
by an almost continuous coral reef. There is a single pass on the western shore deep and wide enough for navigation in and out of
the lagoon. less

Tikehau Atoll, French Polynesia – A narrow ribbon of islets encircles a deep blue lagoon in French Polynesia. At the southernmost tip of the atoll, a large islet accommodates the village of Tuherahera and an ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Van Karman Vortices, Southern Pacific Ocean – Swirling clouds line up in a formation known as a von Kármán street.

Van Karman Vortices, Southern Pacific Ocean – Swirling clouds line up in a formation known as a von Kármán street.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Kilimanjaro, Kenya and Tanzania – Featured on the far right is Mount Kilimanjaro, flanked by
the plains of Amboseli National Park to the north and the rugged Arusha National Park to the south and west. Often called “The Shining Mountain,” Kilimanjaro is a dormant stratovolcano. It has three volcanic cones—Kibo, Mawenzi, and
Shira—and is the highest mountain in Africa. less

Kilimanjaro, Kenya and Tanzania – Featured on the far right is Mount Kilimanjaro, flanked by
the plains of Amboseli National Park to the north and the rugged Arusha National Park to the south and west. ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Ice Waves, Greenland – The undulating swirls shown here along the eastern coast of Greenland are slurries of sea ice, newly calved icebergs, and older
weathered bergs. During the summer melting season, the southward-flowing East Greenland Current twirls these mixtures into
stunning shapes. less

Ice Waves, Greenland – The undulating swirls shown here along the eastern coast of Greenland are slurries of sea ice, newly calved icebergs, and older
weathered bergs. During the summer melting season, the ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Himalayas, Central Asia – The soaring, snow-capped peaks and ridges of the eastern Himalaya Mountains create an irregular patchwork between major rivers
in Tibet and southwestern China.

Himalayas, Central Asia – The soaring, snow-capped peaks and ridges of the eastern Himalaya Mountains create an irregular patchwork between major rivers
in Tibet and southwestern China.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa – Derived from a Tswana word meaning “waterless place,” the Kalahari Desert is a large stretch of semiarid, sandy savannah that covers part of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. less

Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa – Derived from a Tswana word meaning “waterless place,” the Kalahari Desert is a large stretch of semiarid, sandy savannah that covers part of Botswana, Namibia, and South ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida, Mexico – Isla Espíritu Santo and Isla Partida are islands in the Gulf of California, located off the coast of the Mexican state of Baja California
Sur. Isla Partida is the northern island of the group, which is about 32 kilometers long and 10 kilometers across at the widest point.
Depending on the tides, the islands are connected by a narrow isthmus or separated by a shallow channel. less

Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla Partida, Mexico – Isla Espíritu Santo and Isla Partida are islands in the Gulf of California, located off the coast of the Mexican state of Baja California
Sur. Isla Partida is ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana – Marshes and mudflats (shades of green) prevail between shipping channels cut into the bird’s-foot delta.

Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana – Marshes and mudflats (shades of green) prevail between shipping channels cut into the bird’s-foot delta.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia – a. The terrain, which has been shaped
by glaciers, appears covered in white snow in this 2002 winter image from Terra. Glacial cirques and moraines stand out clearly
underneath the snow cover. The dark ocean is ice-free near the coast. Farther out to sea, drift ice, pack ice, and pancake ice are
visible in blue and blue-gray colors. less

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia – a. The terrain, which has been shaped
by glaciers, appears covered in white snow in this 2002 winter image from Terra. Glacial cirques and moraines stand out clearly ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Lake Disappointment, Australia – . The different colors with sharp boundaries may be traces of brush fires, with yellow being the most recent. The lake is white where bright salty deposits are visible, and blue areas are shallow water in the western part and the margins. less

Lake Disappointment, Australia – . The different colors with sharp boundaries may be traces of brush fires, with yellow being the most recent. The lake is white where bright salty deposits are visible, and ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Mayn River, Russia – The Mayn is a tributary of
the Anadyr, flowing roughly northwards from its source in the Koryak Mountain Range through the far northeastern corner of Siberia
and the forest-tundra subzones of the Chukotka Peninsula. less

Mayn River, Russia – The Mayn is a tributary of
the Anadyr, flowing roughly northwards from its source in the Koryak Mountain Range through the far northeastern corner of Siberia
and the forest-tundra ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Lena River Delta, Russia – The delta is frozen tundra for about seven months of the year, and spring transforms the region into a lush wetland.

Lena River Delta, Russia – The delta is frozen tundra for about seven months of the year, and spring transforms the region into a lush wetland.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Niger River, Mali – Known as the Macina, this wet oasis in the African Sahel is one of the largest wetlands in the world and provides habitat both for migrating birds and for West African manatees

Niger River, Mali – Known as the Macina, this wet oasis in the African Sahel is one of the largest wetlands in the world and provides habitat both for migrating birds and for West African manatees

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Mississippi River, Memphis, Tennessee – . Oxbow lakes and cutoffs accompany the meandering river south of Memphis, Tennessee, on the border between Arkansas and Mississippi.

Mississippi River, Memphis, Tennessee – . Oxbow lakes and cutoffs accompany the meandering river south of Memphis, Tennessee, on the border between Arkansas and Mississippi.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Mount Elgon, Kenya and Uganda – As the oldest and largest solitary volcano in Africa, Mount Elgon straddles the border between Uganda and Kenya and is protected on both sides by national parks.

Mount Elgon, Kenya and Uganda – As the oldest and largest solitary volcano in Africa, Mount Elgon straddles the border between Uganda and Kenya and is protected on both sides by national parks.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Musandam Peninsula, Oman – The peninsula’s distinctive fjord-like physiography is due to submergence of the land as the Arabian Plate slowly pushes under the
Eurasian Plate. The peninsula forms the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz. The Persian Gulf is to the west, Iran is across the
strait, and the Gulf of Oman is to the east-southeast. less

Musandam Peninsula, Oman – The peninsula’s distinctive fjord-like physiography is due to submergence of the land as the Arabian Plate slowly pushes under the
Eurasian Plate. The peninsula forms the ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Namib Desert, Namibia – Here, southwest winds have created the tallest sand dunes in the world, with some dunes reaching 300 meters in height.

Namib Desert, Namibia – Here, southwest winds have created the tallest sand dunes in the world, with some dunes reaching 300 meters in height.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Nazva Lines, Peru – Estimated to be created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 C.E., the Nazca Lines were made by removing reddish iron-oxide pebbles that cover the surface of the desert.

Nazva Lines, Peru – Estimated to be created by the Nazca culture between 400 and 650 C.E., the Nazca Lines were made by removing reddish iron-oxide pebbles that cover the surface of the desert.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Painted Desert, Arizona – This “Painted Desert” extends from the Grand Canyon southeast to the Petrified Forest National Park, stretching over 260 kilometers and encompassing over 36,000 hectares.

Painted Desert, Arizona – This “Painted Desert” extends from the Grand Canyon southeast to the Petrified Forest National Park, stretching over 260 kilometers and encompassing over 36,000 hectares.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art, " Published By NASA

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Phytoplankton Bloom, Baltic Sea – Massive congregations of greenish phytoplankton swirl in the dark water around Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea.

Phytoplankton Bloom, Baltic Sea – Massive congregations of greenish phytoplankton swirl in the dark water around Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Byrd Glacier, Antarctica – Just as rivers drain the continents, rivers also drain Antarctica—only in this frozen landscape, the rivers are ice. In some places,
steep mountains channel the flowing ice sheets and compress them into fast-moving rivers of ice. The Byrd Glacier is one such
place. less

Byrd Glacier, Antarctica – Just as rivers drain the continents, rivers also drain Antarctica—only in this frozen landscape, the rivers are ice. In some places,
steep mountains channel the flowing ice ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Cape Farewell, New Zealand – Cape Farewell and Farewell Spit were named by British explorer Captain James Cook, who said “farewell” to the land when he left
New Zealand in 1770—it was the last of the islands his crew saw as they departed for Australia on the ship’s homeward voyage. Its
Maori name, Onetahua, means “heaped up sand.” less

Cape Farewell, New Zealand – Cape Farewell and Farewell Spit were named by British explorer Captain James Cook, who said “farewell” to the land when he left
New Zealand in 1770—it was the last of the ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Rocky Mountain Trench, Canada – The stroke of red in this 2004 Landsat 5 image is a remarkable interplay of light and cloud in the Canadian Rockies.

Rocky Mountain Trench, Canada – The stroke of red in this 2004 Landsat 5 image is a remarkable interplay of light and cloud in the Canadian Rockies.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Rub' al Khali, Arabian Peninsula – The Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, covering 650,000 square kilometers and
encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula. The desert includes much of Saudi Arabia and parts of Oman,
the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. less

Rub' al Khali, Arabian Peninsula – The Rub’ al Khali, or Empty Quarter, is one of the largest sand deserts in the world, covering 650,000 square kilometers and
encompassing most of the southern third of ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Sand Hills, Nebraska – As the largest sand dune formation in America, the Sand Hills cover about a quarter of the U.S. state of Nebraska.

Sand Hills, Nebraska – As the largest sand dune formation in America, the Sand Hills cover about a quarter of the U.S. state of Nebraska.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Susitna Glacier, Alaska – Folds in the lower reaches of valley glaciers can be caused by powerful surges of tributary ice streams.

Susitna Glacier, Alaska – Folds in the lower reaches of valley glaciers can be caused by powerful surges of tributary ice streams.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Bombetoka Bay, Madagascar – Numerous islands and sandbars have formed in the estuary due to sediment carried by the Betsiboka
River as well as the push and pull of tides. The past few decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the amount of sediment
moved by the river and deposited in the estuary and offshore delta lobes, affecting agriculture, fisheries, and transportation in
Mahajanga, one of Madagascar’s busiest seaports. less

Bombetoka Bay, Madagascar – Numerous islands and sandbars have formed in the estuary due to sediment carried by the Betsiboka
River as well as the push and pull of tides. The past few decades have witnessed ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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East African Rift, Kenya – The East African Rift is a classic example of rifting, an area where tectonic plates move apart from each other. Rifts often form
stunning geological features. The East African Rift is characterized by deep valleys in the rift zone, sheer escarpments along the
faulted walls of the rift zone, a chain of lakes within the rift, volcanic rocks that have flowed from faults along the sides of the rift, and
volcanic cones where magma flow was most intense. less

East African Rift, Kenya – The East African Rift is a classic example of rifting, an area where tectonic plates move apart from each other. Rifts often form
stunning geological features. The East African ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Endrenglyn Nuruu, Mongolia – Edrengiyn Nuruu is a mountainous region located in southwest Mongolia. The area has an average elevation of over 1,540 meters
above sea level and forms a transitional boundary between the Mongolian steppes to the north and the arid deserts of China to the
south. less

Endrenglyn Nuruu, Mongolia – Edrengiyn Nuruu is a mountainous region located in southwest Mongolia. The area has an average elevation of over 1,540 meters
above sea level and forms a transitional boundary ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Grand Bahama Bank, Atlantic Ocean – Near Florida and Cuba, the underwater terrain is hilly and the crests of many of these hills compose the islands of the Bahamas. A
striking feature of this 2009 Aqua image is the Great Bahama Bank, a massive underwater hill underlying Andros Island in the west,
Eleuthera Island in the east, and multiple islands in between. To the north, another bank underlies a set of islands, including Grand
Bahama. less

Grand Bahama Bank, Atlantic Ocean – Near Florida and Cuba, the underwater terrain is hilly and the crests of many of these hills compose the islands of the Bahamas. A
striking feature of this 2009 Aqua ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Erg Check, Algeria – The amber and caramel lattices seen are large, linear sand dunes in the Erg Chech dune sea located in the Sahara region of western Algeria.

Erg Check, Algeria – The amber and caramel lattices seen are large, linear sand dunes in the Erg Chech dune sea located in the Sahara region of western Algeria.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Gravity Waves, Above the Indian Ocean – A fingerprint-like feature occurs over a deck of marine stratocumulus clouds. The feature is the result
of gravity waves. Similar to the ripples that occur when a pebble is thrown into a still pond, gravity waves sometimes appear when
the relatively stable and stratified air masses associated with stratocumulus cloud layers are disturbed by a vertical trigger, such as
the underlying terrain, a thunderstorm updraft, or some other vertical wind shear. less

Gravity Waves, Above the Indian Ocean – A fingerprint-like feature occurs over a deck of marine stratocumulus clouds. The feature is the result
of gravity waves. Similar to the ripples that occur when a ... more

Green River, Desolation Canyon, Utah – Desolation Canyon is one of the largest unprotected wilderness areas in the American West.

Green River, Desolation Canyon, Utah – Desolation Canyon is one of the largest unprotected wilderness areas in the American West.

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Bogda Mountains, China – The Turpan Depression, nestled at the foot of the Bogda Mountains in northwestern China, is a strange mix of salt lakes and sand
dunes. At the bottom of the basin is Aydingkol Lake, which appears blue in this Landsat 7 image from 1999. Once a permanent lake
and now a salty swamp, the lake is 155 meters below sea level, making it the third lowest place on Earth’s land surface after the
Dead Sea and Africa’s Lake Assal. less

Bogda Mountains, China – The Turpan Depression, nestled at the foot of the Bogda Mountains in northwestern China, is a strange mix of salt lakes and sand
dunes. At the bottom of the basin is Aydingkol Lake, ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Akpatok Island, Quebec, Canada – Small, dark patches of open water appear between pieces of pale blue-green sea ice, and a few scattered clouds are shown in red. The surrounding sea and ice are home to polar bears, walruses,
and whales. A traditional hunting ground for native Inuit people, Akpatok is almost inaccessible except by air. The island is an
important sanctuary for seabirds that make their nests in the steep cliffs that circle the island. less

Akpatok Island, Quebec, Canada – Small, dark patches of open water appear between pieces of pale blue-green sea ice, and a few scattered clouds are shown in red. The surrounding sea and ice are home to polar ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Belcher Islands, Hudson Bay, Canada – The Belcher Islands are spread across some 13,000 square kilometers in southeastern Hudson Bay, but within that area, only
about 3,000 square kilometers are actual islands and dry land. less

Belcher Islands, Hudson Bay, Canada – The Belcher Islands are spread across some 13,000 square kilometers in southeastern Hudson Bay, but within that area, only
about 3,000 square kilometers are actual ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Alluvial Fan, Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang Province, China – The left side is the active part of the fan. Water flowing down from the mountains in the many small streams appears
blue in this 2002 image. Vegetation appears red and can be seen in the upper left corner of the image.
Farmers take advantage of water at the foot of the fan to irrigate small fields. The “lumpy” terrain at the top of the image is composed
of sand dunes at the edge of the Taklimakan, one of the largest sandy deserts on Earth. Shifting sand dunes, some reaching as high
as 200 meters, cover more than 80 percent of the desert floor. less

Alluvial Fan, Taklimakan Desert, Xinjiang Province, China – The left side is the active part of the fan. Water flowing down from the mountains in the many small streams appears
blue in this 2002 image. ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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Anyuyskiy Volcano, Russia – Now dormant, the volcano was once active enough
to send a massive lahar (an avalanche of volcanic ash and rock mixed with water) 50 kilometers down the west side of the volcano
summit. The dried, hardened remains of the lahar persist today as a streak of barren rock on a landscape that is otherwise richly
vegetated. less

Anyuyskiy Volcano, Russia – Now dormant, the volcano was once active enough
to send a massive lahar (an avalanche of volcanic ash and rock mixed with water) 50 kilometers down the west side of the volcano ... more

Photo: Boyd, John, Source: "Earth As Art," Published By NASA

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NASA telescope catches black hole's rare light show

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Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

A NASA telescope called NuSTAR for short, which is scanning around approximately 324 million light-years from Earth, happened to be in perfect position to see a black hole's powerful gravity tugging on X-ray light emitted from a nearby corona, the space agency said in an Aug. 12 news release.

A corona is a compact source of X-rays, NASA said.

"The result was an extreme blurring and stretching of the X-ray light," the release said. "Such events have been observed previously, but never to this degree and in such detail."

Unlike what its name suggests, a black hole is not empty space. On the contrary, it's a great amount of matter packed into a small area.

In the case of this black hole, which is called Markarian 335 or Mrk 335, think of a star about 10 million times more massive than our sun into a region only 30 times the sun's diameter, according to NASA.

As it turns out, NASA's Swift satellite, which was launched in 2004, has been monitoring Markarian 335 for years and recently noticed a change in its X-ray brightness. So, the quick-thinking scientists in charge of NuSTAR redirected it to take a look at the high-energy X-rays near the black hole.

The X-rays were in the right energy range (three to 79 kiloelectron volts) to give astronomers a detailed look at what was happening in the region of interest -- the area around the black hole from which light can no longer escape gravity.

"Almost as if somebody had shone a flashlight for the astronomers, the shifting corona lit up the precise region they wanted to study," the release said.

Researchers don't know if the corona will shift back, NASA said.

"We still don't understand exactly how the corona is produced or why it changes its shape, but we see it lighting up material around the black hole, enabling us to study the regions so close in that effects described by Einstein's theory of general relativity become prominent," NuSTAR principal investigator Fiona Harrison of the California Institute of Technology said.

NuSTAR, which stands for Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array, is led by Caltech and managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, both in Pasadena, Calif.